Scottish Parliament

Written Answers

Wednesday 14 July 1999

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty’s Government requesting that the Ministry of Defence purchase the largest possible proportion of its beef and lamb product requirements from Scottish production.

Ross Finnie: The Ministry of Defence must adhere to procurement rules in awarding contracts and is precluded from specifying the source of origin of its purchases, including beef and lamb. While requiring its contractors to seek the best price in the open market, consistent with its quality standards, the Ministry does look to buy home produced products where they are competitive. My Department keeps in touch with the Ministry on procurement issues with that in mind. Special arrangements have been made for the armed forces to access stocks of intervention beef held in cold stores throughout the UK, including stocks held in Scotland.

Birds

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all grants, loans and contracts awarded by Scottish National Heritage to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for each of the last three years.

Sarah Boyack: The information requested is given in the table.

  


Year
  

Grants £
  

Loans £
  

Contracts £
  



1998-99
  

220,212
  

0
  

144,916
  



1997-98
  

190,462
  

0
  

48,696
  



1996-97
  

174,501
  

0
  

79.074
  



  Full details of individual grants are listed each year in SNH’s published Annual Report, a copy of which is laid before Parliament. Contracts, which are in the main for research commissioned by SNH, are subject to normal protocol concerning commercially sensitive information.

  In addition to the payments listed in the table, the RSPB also received the sums of £61,340, £69,204 and £41,731 over the years 1996/97 to 1998/99 respectively in respect of management agreements. These management agreements, details of which are also published in SNH’s Annual Report, cover payments made to the RSPB for the management of designated sites such as SSSIs on its land in order to safeguard the natural heritage importance of the site.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish an Education Bill and which organisations and individuals will be consulted prior to publication.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The consultation paper Improving our Schools which includes the draft Improvement in Scottish Education Bill was published on 7 July. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Education

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the regulations governing the repayment of student loans taken out by students who started their courses in academic session 1997-98 or earlier (S.I. 1998/211) and in particular whether it intends to allow deferment of repayments to be backdated by more than 3 months in cases where application of the current rule would give rise to hardship.

Henry McLeish: We have no immediate plans to do so.

  Three months does not seem to be an unreasonable period within which to expect borrowers whose income is below the repayment threshold to seek to defer their liability to repay.

  Where their failure to do so gives rise to hardship, the Student Loans Company Limited can in appropriate cases grant indulgence and offer an arrangement for the repayment of any arrears.

Education

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the expenditure on and number of people covered by all post 16 education and training programmes in Scotland funded by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Higher and Further Education Funding Councils and the European Social Fund for the last financial year.

Henry McLeish: For the financial year 1998/99, financial allocations to the following bodies for post 16 education and training, and the number of places covered, were as follows:

  

 

£m


Numbers



Further 
Education Institutions

288 1


411,408 2



Scottish 
Higher Education Funding Council

431 1


118,700 3



Scottish 
Enterprise

136 4


45,534 5



Highlands 
and Islands Enterprise

11 4


3,320 5




  Notes:

  1 Figures exclude tuition fee income.

  2 The latest figure is for 1997-98 and covers all FE student enrolments. A student enrolled on more than one FE course is counted for each course. 84% of FEI enrolments are part time. FE enrolments include a number of students aged 16.

  3 The SHEFC figure covers the main teaching grant allocated to Institutions, but not research and relates to full time equivalent places funded. 47% of HEI enrolments are part time.

  4 Figures exclude ESF funds.

  5 Average numbers in training at end year.

Education

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide home based tuition for people with disabilities receiving education.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive has no plans to change the current situation whereby the provision of home-based tuition is a matter for individual educational institutions and authorities.

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make any representations to Her Majesty’s Government on the Single-Work Focused Gateway.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with United Kingdom Government Ministers and Departments, including the Department for Social Security and the Department for Education and Employment, on a wide range of issues, including the Single Work-Focused Gateway now called "ONE".

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the unemployment situation in Ayrshire.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is committed to promoting environmentally and socially sustainable economic development, through working in partnership with local agencies. We are very conscious of the particular problems of areas such as Ayrshire and we shall seek to ensure through investing in jobs and skills, fostering enterprise and encouraging the growth of new businesses that we create sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for all members of the community. The Scottish Executive will also take this approach to tackle the challenges facing Lanarkshire and Falkirk about which Mr Neil asked in questions S1W-309 and S1W-311 respectively, also answered today.

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the unemployment situation in Lanarkshire.

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the unemployment situation in Falkirk.

Henry McLeish: I refer Mr Neil to question S1W-308, answered today.

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the number of companies in Scotland which have taken on young people in Scotland for each of the past two years under the Skillseekers programme; and what percentage of trading businesses in Scotland this figure represents.

Henry McLeish: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which are responsible for delivery of the Skillseekers programme, have been asked to provide details of the number of employers involved in the programme. This information will take some time to collate. I shall write to the hon Member as soon as possible.

Europe

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which European Union Council (Committee) meetings it will be attending in the next three months and those which it will not together with the reasons for not doing so.

Mr Jack McConnell: Officials from the Scottish Executive will regularly attend EU Council Working Group meetings, as part of the UK delegation, when issues of importance to Scotland are being discussed. Each decision on attendance will be based on the subject matter under discussion.

Finance

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive the rate of interest at which it can secure borrowings from the Secretary of State and whether such borrowings can be used for investment in public service projects.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Ministers may borrow from the Secretary of State only to meet a temporary excess of sums paid out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund over sums paid into that Fund, or to provide a working balance in the Fund. The interest charged by Treasury will be dependent on the timing and duration of such borrowings.

Fisheries

Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the need for a new coast fisheries boundary line between Scotland and England and on why it should differ significantly from any line describing the limits of other offshore activities.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999 was necessary to define for the first time the Scottish Zone of British Fisheries Limits, within which Scottish Ministers would have competence to regulate and legislate on sea fisheries matters. The line for oil and gas in the Civil Jurisdiction (Offshore Activities) Order 1987 has no relevance to fisheries. In addition, matters relating to oil and gas are reserved to the UK Government.

Freedom of Information

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to seek a review or variation of the 40 year rule, in relation to the publication of documents, for documents held by Scottish Natural Heritage and, and if so, to detail the proposed terms of access to such documentation.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive intends to consider, in its forthcoming consultation on freedom of information, whether any change is required to the existing legislation and rules, such as the 30 year rule, which apply to the release of public records in Scotland, including those held by NDPBs such as Scottish Natural Heritage.

Health

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take immediate steps to ensure that the additional funding needed for the Methadone Prescription Programme, as agreed in principle by Ayrshire and Arran Health Board, will be made available this year.

Susan Deacon: Health Boards are given an annual general revenue allocation. It is for Health Boards to determine, within the funds available, how to manage and deliver local health care services that meet the healthcare needs of their resident population.

Health

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish, as a matter of urgency, a task force to support and co-ordinate medical treatment and care for gulf war veterans in Scotland.

Susan Deacon: I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are already in place for Gulf War Veterans in Scotland.

  The clinical needs of veterans in Scotland are assessed by their doctor. Should concerns exist that the patient’s health may have been affected by service with the armed forces in the Gulf, he or she can be referred to the Ministry of Defence’s Gulf Veterans’ Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for further investigation and diagnosis.

  Patients referred to the MAP are given a full medical examination together with a range of physical tests; investigations routinely conducted for all patients include urinalysis, haematological, biochemical, biological and serological tests, ultrasound scan of the abdomen and electrocardiography. These tests are carried out on the day of the appointment and take approximately 4 hours. Additional investigations and /or referrals to other consultants or specialists may be required; this is decided either during the initial appointment or in follow-up consultations if deemed necessary.

  The MAP itself does not provide treatment; its role is to assess patients and recommend treatment as appropriate. Any recommendations for treatment are passed on to the patient’s GP; it is then for the individual doctor to arrange treatment through the National Health Service and to monitor the patient’s health as he or she would for any other patient. In the case of a veteran who is still serving, recommendations for treatment would be passed to the unit medical officer and treatment arranged through the Defence Medical Services.

  The cost of the patient’s travel to the MAP (within the UK) is met by the MOD as are accommodation costs where necessary.

Housing

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the housing needs of Scotland’s black and ethnic minority communities.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Tackling social exclusion is a top priority of the Scottish Executive. We believe that black and ethnic minority communities should have the same opportunities as other households in Scotland to obtain good quality, affordable housing. We will seek to ensure that they benefit fully from relevant housing programmes and initiatives.

Housing

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to state the number of new build and renovated properties which will be affected by the Housing (Right to Buy)(Cost Floor)(Scotland) Order (S.I. 1999/611).

Ms Wendy Alexander: The number of properties affected will depend on both the timing of decisions by individual tenants to buy their home, and the level and timing of investment in the specific property. As a result, no estimate of the number of affected properties has been made.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by Her Majesty’s Government regarding the possible abolition of Housing Benefit and, if so, what representations it has made on the matter.

Ms Wendy Alexander: A number of options are being considered by the UK Government for improvements to the way in which Housing Benefit is provided. We will continue to liaise closely with the relevant Whitehall departments to ensure that Scottish interests are taken into account as policy in this area is developed. We also expect Housing Benefit issues to be included in a Green Paper to be published by the UK Government later in the year, which will provide a further opportunity for all interested parties, including the Scottish Parliament and Executive, to express their views.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications would be for Scottish local authority budgets and any related budgets for which it is responsible if Housing Benefit is abolished.

Ms Wendy Alexander: A number of options for improvements to the way in which Housing Benefit is provided are being considered by the UK Government. Since Housing Benefit is administered by local authorities, any change to Housing Benefit is likely to have some resource implications for local authorities. However, until clear options have been identified and published, it will not be possible to establish with any certainty the implications for particular budgets.

Housing

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding reform of the housing benefit system in Scotland and, if so, what these representations will be.

Ms Wendy Alexander: A number of options are being considered by Her Majesty’s Government for improvements to the way in which Housing Benefit is provided. We will continue to liaise closely with the relevant Whitehall departments to ensure that Scottish interests are taken into account as policy in this area is developed. We also expect Housing Benefit issues to be included in a Green Paper to be published by the UK Government later in the year, which will provide a further opportunity for all interested parties, including the Scottish Parliament and Executive, to express their views.

Justice

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle racism within the criminal justice system.

Mr Jim Wallace: On 20 July I will be publishing an action plan to take forward in Scotland the recommendations of the Macpherson Report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. I will also be setting up and chairing a Steering Group to ensure that progress is made on the recommendations. The Lord Advocate has already accepted some of the recommendations relevant to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and has introduced initiatives to improve racial awareness training. In addition, the Scottish Executive is committed to mainstreaming equal opportunities and tackling racism through the public sector as a whole.

Learning Disabilities

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it intends to issue to local authorities in order to tackle bullying and harassment of people who have a learning disability.

Iain Gray: The review of services for people with a learning disability recognises the need to promote more positive public attitudes towards people with learning disabilities. It has already commissioned a study of how public attitudes might be changed for the better. We would expect this to address bullying and harassment. Its findings will be taken into account in the review which is to report to Ministers at the end of the year.

  The Moray House Institute of Education manages the national anti-bullying network. This is funded by the Scottish Executive and provides support and advice to all levels of school education through sharing good practice. It offers support to schools and authorities in tackling bullying.

Learning Disabilities

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends that the present review of services for people with a learning disability will address bullying and harassment.

Iain Gray: The review of services for people with a learning disability recognises the need to promote more positive public attitudes towards people with learning disabilities. It has already commissioned a study of how public attitudes might be changed for the better. Its findings will be taken into account in the review which is to report to Ministers at the end of the year.

Learning Disabilities

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide counselling services to people with a learning disability who have experienced abuse or harassment.

Iain Gray: The need for services in any particular circumstances is best assessed by authorities at a local level. In making those assessments, I would expect authorities to take account of the information mentioned in my reply to question S1W-330 today.

Transport

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will state how many accidents involving serious injury or fatalities have occurred between Fenwick and Malletsheugh on the A77 for each of the last three years.

Sarah Boyack: An analysis of the available accident statistics for the 3 full years 1996-1998 between Fenwick and Malletsheugh on the A77 trunk road shows the following number of fatal and serious accidents:-

  

 

1996
  

1997
  

1998
  



Fatal
  

5
  

0
  

2
  



Serious
  

6
  

5
  

9

Transport

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the most recent estimate of the capital cost for upgrading the A77 between Fenwick and Malletsheugh to motorway standard.

Sarah Boyack: The most recent estimate of the cost of constructing a motorway between Fenwick and Malletsheugh is £60.4m exclusive of VAT based on the prices current in the second quarter of 1998.

Transport

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to construct a road from the A78 north of Ardrossan to the A78 south of Stevenston, by-passing the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.

Sarah Boyack: The bypass to Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston is one of the major trunk road proposals that is being considered in the Strategic Review of the Trunk Road Programme. We expect to report to Parliament on the Strategic Review after the summer recess.

Transport

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to upgrade the A737 road from Howwood in Renfrewshire into North Ayrshire.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has no immediate plans to upgrade the A737 trunk road. A study is underway to identify sections of the route which would benefit from a more consistent standard of signing. Subject to the findings of the report, it is expected that any work identified will be undertaken during financial year 2000-01, subject to funds being available.